Uterine artery embolization: anatomical and technical considerations, indications, results, and complications

The first reported use of transcatheter arterial embolization in the manage ment of intractable bleeding related to pelvic trauma appeared in the liter ature in 1973. Other indications for pelvic embolization in women include p ostoperative and post partum hemorrhage and bleeding related to gynecologic malignancy. Recently, the use of uterine artery embolization in the manage ment of symptomatic leiomyoma has been reported as an alternative to surger y. The widespread acceptance of this procedure necessitates greater knowled ge of the arterial anatomy of the female genital tract. In this paper, main arterial variations in uterine vascularization and procedure-relevant tech nical considerations will be discussed. Indications, results and potential complications of uterine artery embolization will be listed and explained.